Stella Marina, Asbury Park, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Stella Marina, Asbury Park, NJ. A dining review

Stella Marina
800 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ  

Stella Marina: Restaurant Highlights

Fare:  Contemporary Italian

Price: Expensive

Food Quality: Well executed menu, using fresh locally sourced ingredients

Service: Friendly, attentive

Ambiance/Decor: NYC vibe with plenty of open glass for excellent ocean views.

Overall Rating: 2 1/2 Stars

Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class

Noise Level: Moderate - High

Dress: Casual

Recommended For: Diners who enjoy good food and upscale, trendy ambiance with stunning ocean views

Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who prefer heavy sauce food preparations served in large portions.

Recommended dishes: When available, Mailale alla Diavalo, Grilled prime pork rib chop with long hot peppers, broccoli rabe, fingerling potato; The Lamb Osso Bucco; and The Spaghettini Vongole

Liquor: Full Bar service with an extensive wine list with over 130 selections. Bar scene is vibrant.

Stella Marina covers two floors with awesome views of Atlantic Ocean and serves up very good Italian contemporary food enjoyed by a 30+ vibrant crowd.

Owned by chef turned restaurateur Joseph Cetrulo, who also owns Sirena Italian restaurant in Long Branch, under The Trinity Hospitality Group. The son of Italian parents, Joseph Cetrulo honed his culinary skills in Europe during the mid-90s through 2005 with several restaurants in Italy

The upscale ambiance has a New York City feel to it. The interior dining area seats 210 spread over two levels adorned with attractive bottle chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, quality tile and stone, neutral color tones, and plenty of open glass for excellent ocean views.

The seasonally changing contemporary Italian menu is well prepared, creatively presented, using fresh ingredients.

For starters, they serve excellent warm crusted bread made by Balthazar Bakery.

The service at Stella Marina is friendly and anticipatory, although inconsistent, especially during the busy summer times.

During the warmer months there is outside boardwalk dining with great boardwalk ocean front views. Great for people watching.

Stella Marina is open seven days/week for Lunch and Dinner, including Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.

(Updated September 2024)

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